Southend Manor Youth's fury as chairman cut ties

A YOUTH football team has hit out at a Southend Manor’s chairman for disowning them at a cost of thousands of pounds and to the detriment of hundreds of youngsters.

Manor’s youth section have released a statement about a “dispute” with Steve Robinson, who took over at the Essex Senior League side at the start of the 2012 season from the long-serving Bob Westley.

Essex County FA have confirmed that Manor have told the youth section they are no longer allowed to carry the club’s name from the start of next season.

Manor say the matter will be discussed at a committee meeting this week and a statement will be issued if they feel it is appropriate.

It is a blow to the youth section, who have 24 teams operating from under-sixes to under-15s, as well as a mini-soccer school for three to six year-olds and a goalkeeping school. More than 400 young footballers will be affected.

A statement on Southend Manor Youth FC website addressed to parents, guardians, players and supporters, outlines their grievance, which the Echo understands could incur costs of up to £18,000 to replace the kit with new branding.

The statement says: “Our committee have worked tirelessly in battling this request, but unfortunately we have failed to retain our name.

“As such we are now going through the painstaking process of selecting a new name for our club.

“We are very keen to retain ‘Manor’ in the name and will be doing everything in our power to do so. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

“As a result this will incur significant cost to SMYFC to replace ALL items of kit over the summer, including shirts, jumpers and jackets etc.

“We are well aware that we have a number of sponsors and parents that have generously donated money towards various items over the years and we would not expect you to contribute any further funds.”

The statement says that the youth team’s website and social media pages will be changed accordingly over the summer.

It continues: “Everything else will remain the same. Your club will still be here, your children will still play football for us every week and all the coaches and staff will continue to give up their spare time every week coaching your children.

“In fact if anything, this forced change will help the club grow bigger, better and stronger than ever before.

“We hope we will continue to have the support of every single one of you as we go through this re-naming process which, unfortunately, has been forced upon us by a certain person’s actions.”

The Echo invited Manor to respond to the statement, and the club’s secretary Peter Dudley spoke to Robinson, who said it will be discussed at a committee meeting on Thursday, March 6, and a response would be issued if members felt it was appropriate.

An Essex County FA spokesman said: “Southend Manor FC have instructed us that Southend Manor Youth FC are no longer permitted to carry the club’s name in 2014/15.

“We have met with a representative of the youth section of the club to discuss the possible options going forward.

Comments

Mr Robinson = Businessman.........
no idea about football whatsoever, has very little money in the pot at Southend Manor Senior section but would rather cut off his nose and lose the entire youth section and blood line to the Seniors all for the sake of lining his empty pockets.

Absolute disgrace to grassroots football the Essex FA should be backing the 400 children and parents effected by the this issue or is there a back hander going on somewhere here also...??

Hopefully the F.A will see this review and step in to aid such a fantastic club in Southend Manor YOUTH FC. Who have some real talent at youth level with children going to such places as Southend United Shadow Squads etc.

Mr Robinson you own just a name, not a stadium or a pitch because you rent these you Muppet. You are nothing more than a power hungry ego maniac with nothing better to do than rob these children of yet more money...

DISGRACEFUL

Mr Robinson = Businessman.........
no idea about football whatsoever, has very little money in the pot at Southend Manor Senior section but would rather cut off his nose and lose the entire youth section and blood line to the Seniors all for the sake of lining his empty pockets.
Absolute disgrace to grassroots football the Essex FA should be backing the 400 children and parents effected by the this issue or is there a back hander going on somewhere here also...??
Hopefully the F.A will see this review and step in to aid such a fantastic club in Southend Manor YOUTH FC. Who have some real talent at youth level with children going to such places as Southend United Shadow Squads etc.
Mr Robinson you own just a name, not a stadium or a pitch because you rent these you Muppet. You are nothing more than a power hungry ego maniac with nothing better to do than rob these children of yet more money...
DISGRACEFUL#grassrootsforever

Mr Robinson = Businessman.........
no idea about football whatsoever, has very little money in the pot at Southend Manor Senior section but would rather cut off his nose and lose the entire youth section and blood line to the Seniors all for the sake of lining his empty pockets.

Absolute disgrace to grassroots football the Essex FA should be backing the 400 children and parents effected by the this issue or is there a back hander going on somewhere here also...??

Hopefully the F.A will see this review and step in to aid such a fantastic club in Southend Manor YOUTH FC. Who have some real talent at youth level with children going to such places as Southend United Shadow Squads etc.

Mr Robinson you own just a name, not a stadium or a pitch because you rent these you Muppet. You are nothing more than a power hungry ego maniac with nothing better to do than rob these children of yet more money...

DISGRACEFUL

Score: 26

Southender81
1:18pm Tue 4 Mar 14

As someone who has been involved with grassroots football in the Borough for many years, I am very saddened by this news. The Manor Youth sides are some of the most recognised (in their distinctive yellow and black kits) and respected in the whole of Youth football in Essex. To not have them playing as Manor next season will be a real loss to the sunday morning football scene. However, I know the youth committee will use this as a positive and come back bigger and better, just under a new name. I hope some kindhearted wealthy soul see's this article and offers some financial help for a club that obviously gives up many hours of their time unpaid to coach football to the children of our town. Best of luck with it all and will keep an eye out for your new name.

As someone who has been involved with grassroots football in the Borough for many years, I am very saddened by this news. The Manor Youth sides are some of the most recognised (in their distinctive yellow and black kits) and respected in the whole of Youth football in Essex. To not have them playing as Manor next season will be a real loss to the sunday morning football scene. However, I know the youth committee will use this as a positive and come back bigger and better, just under a new name. I hope some kindhearted wealthy soul see's this article and offers some financial help for a club that obviously gives up many hours of their time unpaid to coach football to the children of our town. Best of luck with it all and will keep an eye out for your new name.Southender81

As someone who has been involved with grassroots football in the Borough for many years, I am very saddened by this news. The Manor Youth sides are some of the most recognised (in their distinctive yellow and black kits) and respected in the whole of Youth football in Essex. To not have them playing as Manor next season will be a real loss to the sunday morning football scene. However, I know the youth committee will use this as a positive and come back bigger and better, just under a new name. I hope some kindhearted wealthy soul see's this article and offers some financial help for a club that obviously gives up many hours of their time unpaid to coach football to the children of our town. Best of luck with it all and will keep an eye out for your new name.

Score: 17

leecascarino
1:39pm Tue 4 Mar 14

How about southchurch manor youth Fc? Based in tgat area anyway, talk about ruining the game for kids... best of luck to the youth teams hope they get it all sorted for the new season.

How about southchurch manor youth Fc? Based in tgat area anyway, talk about ruining the game for kids... best of luck to the youth teams hope they get it all sorted for the new season.leecascarino

How about southchurch manor youth Fc? Based in tgat area anyway, talk about ruining the game for kids... best of luck to the youth teams hope they get it all sorted for the new season.

Score: 15

#eastlondoner#
2:17pm Tue 4 Mar 14

Having played at a good level and indeed coached at a good level, I find it most disappointing that such a wedge has grown between the two parties.
You would like to think that in this day and age that common sense would prevail, unfortunately, it seems that one persons egotistical mindset could cause major problems for a few hundred young people in and around the Southend area. The person knows who he is and should be ashamed of his actions, all said and done, egos should not come into this situation at all, am I wrong in pointing out that at the end of the day, many people, give up their time to help and progress these young people from a footballing aspect and indeed a social one. I hope that common sense wins through!

Having played at a good level and indeed coached at a good level, I find it most disappointing that such a wedge has grown between the two parties.
You would like to think that in this day and age that common sense would prevail, unfortunately, it seems that one persons egotistical mindset could cause major problems for a few hundred young people in and around the Southend area. The person knows who he is and should be ashamed of his actions, all said and done, egos should not come into this situation at all, am I wrong in pointing out that at the end of the day, many people, give up their time to help and progress these young people from a footballing aspect and indeed a social one. I hope that common sense wins through!#eastlondoner#

Having played at a good level and indeed coached at a good level, I find it most disappointing that such a wedge has grown between the two parties.
You would like to think that in this day and age that common sense would prevail, unfortunately, it seems that one persons egotistical mindset could cause major problems for a few hundred young people in and around the Southend area. The person knows who he is and should be ashamed of his actions, all said and done, egos should not come into this situation at all, am I wrong in pointing out that at the end of the day, many people, give up their time to help and progress these young people from a footballing aspect and indeed a social one. I hope that common sense wins through!

Score: 17

Michele Denise
4:21pm Tue 4 Mar 14

Having been involved with Southend Manor since the 1970's, knowing Gil and Doris Medcalf who started the club in 1955 and my now deceased husband Malcolm Frost who was manager for more years than I care to mention and then went on to being Chairman for many years , I am shocked that someone could do this to all these youngsters. I was involved when Bob Westley the then Chairman, Paul Leggett and others brokered this amalgamation to give Southend Manor a constant supply of good quality youngsters coming through the ranks with the Southend Manor ethics of sportsmanship. Why is this man trying to destroy all this especially when one of the Southend Manor Youth players is Doris and Gil's great grandchild who was so thrilled to be involved with his "families" club. I wonder what Mr Robinson's reasons are for this despicable treatment , and also the FA's involvement, do they understand the background to this?

Having been involved with Southend Manor since the 1970's, knowing Gil and Doris Medcalf who started the club in 1955 and my now deceased husband Malcolm Frost who was manager for more years than I care to mention and then went on to being Chairman for many years , I am shocked that someone could do this to all these youngsters. I was involved when Bob Westley the then Chairman, Paul Leggett and others brokered this amalgamation to give Southend Manor a constant supply of good quality youngsters coming through the ranks with the Southend Manor ethics of sportsmanship. Why is this man trying to destroy all this especially when one of the Southend Manor Youth players is Doris and Gil's great grandchild who was so thrilled to be involved with his "families" club. I wonder what Mr Robinson's reasons are for this despicable treatment , and also the FA's involvement, do they understand the background to this?Michele Denise

Having been involved with Southend Manor since the 1970's, knowing Gil and Doris Medcalf who started the club in 1955 and my now deceased husband Malcolm Frost who was manager for more years than I care to mention and then went on to being Chairman for many years , I am shocked that someone could do this to all these youngsters. I was involved when Bob Westley the then Chairman, Paul Leggett and others brokered this amalgamation to give Southend Manor a constant supply of good quality youngsters coming through the ranks with the Southend Manor ethics of sportsmanship. Why is this man trying to destroy all this especially when one of the Southend Manor Youth players is Doris and Gil's great grandchild who was so thrilled to be involved with his "families" club. I wonder what Mr Robinson's reasons are for this despicable treatment , and also the FA's involvement, do they understand the background to this?

Score: 13

pembury53
7:31pm Tue 4 Mar 14

sounds like this robinson clown should be sent off.....

sounds like this robinson clown should be sent off.....pembury53

sounds like this robinson clown should be sent off.....

Score: 9

Rendezvous1989
7:43pm Tue 4 Mar 14

Being a coach at Southend Manor Youth I was disgusted to hear about the actions of the Senior Team chairman. However despite being forced into all the change and costs that we will incur over the summer we will come out of this equally as strong if not stronger next season.

Robinson shouldn't be near a Sunday league club let alone a club of a reasonable stature. He is everything that is wrong with grassroots football.

Up the Manor (Youth)

Being a coach at Southend Manor Youth I was disgusted to hear about the actions of the Senior Team chairman. However despite being forced into all the change and costs that we will incur over the summer we will come out of this equally as strong if not stronger next season.
Robinson shouldn't be near a Sunday league club let alone a club of a reasonable stature. He is everything that is wrong with grassroots football.
Up the Manor (Youth)Rendezvous1989

Being a coach at Southend Manor Youth I was disgusted to hear about the actions of the Senior Team chairman. However despite being forced into all the change and costs that we will incur over the summer we will come out of this equally as strong if not stronger next season.

Robinson shouldn't be near a Sunday league club let alone a club of a reasonable stature. He is everything that is wrong with grassroots football.

Up the Manor (Youth)

Score: 13

robb789
5:12pm Wed 5 Mar 14

Been working on an idea for a new name - what about Manor Southend?

Been working on an idea for a new name - what about Manor Southend?robb789

Been working on an idea for a new name - what about Manor Southend?

Score: 0

knighs1
5:26pm Wed 5 Mar 14

Hope you all stick together. How about Southend Manor United?

Hope you all stick together. How about Southend Manor United?knighs1

Hope you all stick together. How about Southend Manor United?

Score: 2

Jsd123
10:35pm Wed 5 Mar 14

It's not just about losing the name but also about our boys being able to join alliance football it's a huge step up and not many clubs can provide it some teams will probably have to leave if they want there teams to play in the bigger leagues the thing is some off them teams already have kids that are in the shadow squads at southend utd Colchester utd etc what is this man doing these children are the future off southend manor and this man is taking away this because he as a bee in his bonnet all I can say is good luck to all the manor boys and girls and hopefully things will look brighter in the future

It's not just about losing the name but also about our boys being able to join alliance football it's a huge step up and not many clubs can provide it some teams will probably have to leave if they want there teams to play in the bigger leagues the thing is some off them teams already have kids that are in the shadow squads at southend utd Colchester utd etc what is this man doing these children are the future off southend manor and this man is taking away this because he as a bee in his bonnet all I can say is good luck to all the manor boys and girls and hopefully things will look brighter in the futureJsd123

It's not just about losing the name but also about our boys being able to join alliance football it's a huge step up and not many clubs can provide it some teams will probably have to leave if they want there teams to play in the bigger leagues the thing is some off them teams already have kids that are in the shadow squads at southend utd Colchester utd etc what is this man doing these children are the future off southend manor and this man is taking away this because he as a bee in his bonnet all I can say is good luck to all the manor boys and girls and hopefully things will look brighter in the future

Score: 5

sidelinedad
7:34pm Thu 6 Mar 14

I am the husband of one of the current committee members. The members are working day and night to resolve this challenge. It is a real shame that the teams are going to loose the link they have to Southchurch park and the Southend Manor name. The teams will be stronger for this and they are gaining more kids every week. Saturday they have 120+ kids under 6 playing football, as well as 24 full teams. They are giving young adults the chance to gain coaching qualifications, ref qualifications as well as everyone at the club a sense of community , teamwork and some physical exercise. To the coaches , parents and players as well as committee members good luck next season.

I am the husband of one of the current committee members. The members are working day and night to resolve this challenge. It is a real shame that the teams are going to loose the link they have to Southchurch park and the Southend Manor name. The teams will be stronger for this and they are gaining more kids every week. Saturday they have 120+ kids under 6 playing football, as well as 24 full teams. They are giving young adults the chance to gain coaching qualifications, ref qualifications as well as everyone at the club a sense of community , teamwork and some physical exercise. To the coaches , parents and players as well as committee members good luck next season.sidelinedad

I am the husband of one of the current committee members. The members are working day and night to resolve this challenge. It is a real shame that the teams are going to loose the link they have to Southchurch park and the Southend Manor name. The teams will be stronger for this and they are gaining more kids every week. Saturday they have 120+ kids under 6 playing football, as well as 24 full teams. They are giving young adults the chance to gain coaching qualifications, ref qualifications as well as everyone at the club a sense of community , teamwork and some physical exercise. To the coaches , parents and players as well as committee members good luck next season.

Score: 2

djstevefunk
9:35am Wed 14 Jan 15

I played for Chalkwell Vets when Steve Robinson was running the side and his mercenary nature was there then. He almost destroyed the club with lies and deceit, telling everyone that games had been called off when they hadn't so that we would get relegated by default. He then tried to tried to drag players off to Leigh Ramblers Vets, myself included, but I had seen through him and stayed at Chalkwell, even though I had strong ties with Ramblers. How does he manage to wriggle his way into these positions? Not a fit and proper person at all - take note Essex FA!!! He even fell out with his own brother years ago.

I played for Chalkwell Vets when Steve Robinson was running the side and his mercenary nature was there then. He almost destroyed the club with lies and deceit, telling everyone that games had been called off when they hadn't so that we would get relegated by default. He then tried to tried to drag players off to Leigh Ramblers Vets, myself included, but I had seen through him and stayed at Chalkwell, even though I had strong ties with Ramblers. How does he manage to wriggle his way into these positions? Not a fit and proper person at all - take note Essex FA!!! He even fell out with his own brother years ago.djstevefunk

I played for Chalkwell Vets when Steve Robinson was running the side and his mercenary nature was there then. He almost destroyed the club with lies and deceit, telling everyone that games had been called off when they hadn't so that we would get relegated by default. He then tried to tried to drag players off to Leigh Ramblers Vets, myself included, but I had seen through him and stayed at Chalkwell, even though I had strong ties with Ramblers. How does he manage to wriggle his way into these positions? Not a fit and proper person at all - take note Essex FA!!! He even fell out with his own brother years ago.

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